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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and IonsProblem 101a
Chapter 2, Problem 101a

The first atoms of seaborgium (Sg) were identified in 1974. The longest-lived isotope of Sg has a mass number of 266. (a) How many protons, electrons, and neutrons are in an 266Sg atom?

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Identify the atomic number of seaborgium (Sg) from the periodic table, which is 106. This number represents the number of protons in the atom.
Since the atom is neutral, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the number of electrons is also 106.
The mass number of the isotope is given as 266. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
To find the number of neutrons, subtract the number of protons from the mass number: Neutrons = Mass number - Protons.
Calculate the number of neutrons using the formula: Neutrons = 266 - 106.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Structure

Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus, while neutrons are neutral particles also located in the nucleus. Electrons are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus in electron shells. The number of protons defines the element, while the total number of protons and neutrons gives the mass number.
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Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This results in different mass numbers for the isotopes of the same element. For example, seaborgium (Sg) has isotopes with varying mass numbers, and the longest-lived isotope mentioned has a mass number of 266, indicating it has 266 total nucleons (protons + neutrons).
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Elemental Charge Neutrality

In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, balancing the positive and negative charges. For seaborgium, which has an atomic number of 106 (indicating 106 protons), it will also have 106 electrons. To find the number of neutrons in the isotope, subtract the number of protons from the mass number (266 - 106 = 160 neutrons).
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

There are two different isotopes of bromine atoms. Under normal conditions, elemental bromine consists of Br2 molecules, and the mass of a Br2 molecule is the sum of the masses of the two atoms in the molecule. The mass spectrum of Br2 consists of three peaks: Mass (u) Relative Size 157.836 0.2569 159.834 0.4999 161.832 0.2431 (e) Calculate the abundances of the two isotopes. Calculate the abundance of the heavier isotope.

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Textbook Question

It is common in mass spectrometry to assume that the mass of a cation is the same as that of its parent atom. (b) What percentage of the mass of an 1H atom does the electron represent?

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Textbook Question

From the following list of elements—Mg, Li, Tl, Pb, Se, Cl, Xe, Si, C—pick the one that best fits each description. Use each element only once: (a) an alkali metal, (b) an alkaline earth metal, (c) a noble gas, (d) a halogen, (e) a metalloidin group 14, (f) a nonmetal listed in group 14, (g) a metal that forms a 3+ ion, (h) a nonmetal that forms a 2- ion, (i) an element that is used as radiation shielding.

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Textbook Question

The first atoms of seaborgium (Sg) were identified in 1974. The longest-lived isotope of Sg has a mass number of 266. (b) Atoms of Sg are very unstable, and it is therefore difficult to study this element's properties. Based on the position of Sg in the periodic table, what element should it most closely resemble in its chemical properties?

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Open Question
The explosion of an atomic bomb releases many radioactive isotopes, including strontium-90. Considering the location of strontium in the periodic table, suggest a reason why this isotope is particularly dangerous for human health.
Open Question
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